Non-Volatile Siloxane Ectoparasiticidal Composition for Fire Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ectoparasiticidal compositions for head lice and their ova are either flammable or combustible, posing a fire hazard, and often require multiple treatments due to limited efficacy against ova, with previous solutions either being difficult to rinse off or ineffective in penetrating hair surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A composition combining a non-volatile low viscosity siloxane with a non-volatile high viscosity siloxane, both having a closed cup flash point of at least 100°C, along with a thixotropic additive and an emulsifying agent, which facilitates easy rinsing and improved adhesion to hair and skin, and optionally includes terpene or phenylpropanoid derivatives for enhanced penetrating properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high viscosity siloxanes (above 20,000 centistokes) are used to improve clinical efficacy against head lice and ova, then the efficacy is improved, but the composition becomes difficult to rinse off and difficult to apply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the siloxane composition into two distinct viscosity components: a low viscosity siloxane (1-100 centistokes) that provides ease of application and rinsing, and a high viscosity siloxane (above 20,000 centistokes) that provides clinical efficacy. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter distribution by using a broad range of siloxane viscosities from 1 to over 20,000 centistokes, rather than a single viscosity value. This parameter change enables the composition to simultaneously achieve ease of application (low viscosity contribution) and clinical efficacy (high viscosity contribution).
2Ease of operation
If volatile siloxanes (such as cyclomethicone) are used to improve spreading and application, then the spreading ability is improved, but the composition becomes flammable or combustible creating a fire risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the volatile component (cyclomethicone) from the composition to eliminate the fire hazard while retaining the essential function of spreading and application. The remaining non-volatile siloxanes provide the necessary vehicle function without the harmful flammability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of volatility (fire risk) into a benefit by using the volatility concept in reverse - specifically avoiding volatile components and using non-volatile siloxanes that provide sufficient spreading ability through their inherent properties without the fire hazard associated with volatility.
3Reliability
If conventional insecticides are used to achieve effective control of ectoparasites, then the efficacy is improved, but the composition has unpleasant odour and may cause allergic reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical nature parameter of the active ingredient from conventional insecticides to siloxane polymers. This fundamental parameter change maintains efficacy against ectoparasites while eliminating the unpleasant odour and allergic reaction problems associated with traditional insecticidal chemicals.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition effectively kills head lice and ova in a single treatment, is safe from fire hazards, and can be easily rinsed off with conventional shampoos, achieving 100% lice and egg kill within minutes to an hour, significantly reducing the number of required treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a carrier and an active with a thixotropic additive to thicken the composition when in use
Implementation Method 2
an emulsifying agent that acts as a stabilizing emulsifier with water to facilitate rinsing-off of the composition after use
Data Source
AI summary
An ectoparasiticidal composition is provided that comprises a mixture of a carrier and an active with an emulsifying agent. The carrier comprises non- volatile low viscosity siloxane and the active comprises a non-volatile high viscosity siloxane. The low viscosity siloxane and the high viscosity siloxane both have a closed cup flash point of at least 100° C. Preferably, both the low viscosity siloxane and the high viscosity siloxane comprise a dimeticone or a dimeticonol or a mixture of same, the the low viscosity siloxane having a viscosity in the range of 5 to 1000 centistokes inclusive and the high viscosity siloxane having a viscosity of at least 1000 centistokes.